http://www.greeleytrib.com/article/2005 ... /111200071

What ICE is and does, and the history of ICE in Weld

Brady McCombs, (Bio) bmccombs@greeleytrib.com
November 20, 2005

Ever since Weld District Attorney Ken Buck asked the Greeley City Council to consider a resolution in support of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Greeley, the issue has become a sensitive and divisive one in the community. It has elicited a strong reaction from some in the Latino community, especially the group Latinos Unidos.

To understand the arguments from both sides of the issue, it helps to understand what ICE is and does, and the history of ICE in Weld County.

WHAT IS ICE?

On March 1, 2003, investigative and enforcement responsibilities of federal immigration, customs laws and air security laws were transferred to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE.

Service and benefit functions of the Immigration Naturalization Service transitioned into the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a bureau of the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, within the Department of Homeland Security, took over responsibility for protecting borders.

THE HISTORY OF ICE AGENTS IN GREELEY

An ICE agent used to work at the Weld County Jail until 2002. Then he moved to the Eaton Police Department, where he works now. This agent coordinates ICE activities in northern Colorado with the ICE field office in Brush.

WHAT DO ICE OFFICIALS SAY ABOUT PLACING AN OFFICE HERE?

ICE spokesman Tim Counts said the agency has no immediate plans to place a field office in Greeley. He said establishing a field office is time-consuming, costly and requires coordination with federal headquarters.

WHAT DOES WELD DISTRICT ATTORNEY KEN BUCK SAY ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ICE OFFICE HERE?

Buck says he's been working closely with ICE officials to lay the groundwork for a possible office in the coming years.

He said he knows that legislators are making a push in Congress to get more funds for ICE, which would open the possibility for new offices.

He's lobbying for the office because he wants Greeley to lay out a welcome mat for ICE officials. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Greeley, and Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Loveland, have submitted letters of support for the ICE office here.

WHAT IS AN ICE DETAINER?

An ICE detainer is when ICE flags an illegal immigrant in custody of another law enforcement agency because they have probable cause to believe an immigration law has been violated.

When the person finishes his or her sentence, ICE agents pick him or her up to begin deportation proceedings.

An ICE hold can be placed on legal, permanent residents as well as illegal immigrants for certain crimes.

For instance, on Nov. 14, ICE had holds on people facing charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, sex assault on a child, vehicular homicide, felony menancing, DUI, theft, possession with intent to distribute, aggravated robbery and criminal impersonation, according to the Weld District Attorney's Office.

WHAT DOES ICE DO?

ICE's two priorities are national security and community safety, according to Counts. Under national security, the agency targets illegal immigrants involved in terrorists operations, money laundering and other crimes that put national security at risk. Initiatives that target violent gang members and sexual predators of children are two examples of the agency's efforts to maintain community safety.

CURRENT ICE INITIATIVES

* Operation Community Shield -- targets violent criminal street gangs nationwide.

* Cornerstone -- investigates financial and trade frauds.

* Operation Predator -- targets sexual predators who prey on children or minors.

* The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System -- a Web-based system for maintaining information on international students and exchange visitors in the U.S.

* ICE storm -- targets smuggling organizations (drug/ human/currency/weapons) through a partnership with U.S. and Mexican intelligence and enforcement agencies.

RAIDS -- TRUTH OR MYTH?

ICE agents target individuals based on leads and intelligence, according to Counts. He said they don't conduct sweeps or raids without targeting an individual.

"We don't do that because we can't do that," Counts said. "What does somebody who is illegal look like?"

However, when conducting an operation, ICE agents sometimes encounter others here illegally who they will arrest and put in federal custody.

"Anytime you hear something about a sweep or raid, doubt it, doubt it very much," Counts said. "But, we are out there doing our jobs, protecting national security and community safety."

On Oct. 18 in Hudson, ICE special agents arrested three Hudson residents and 18 illegal immigrants. At 6 a.m., ICE special agents executed search and arrest warrants at the Hudson residences and property of Moises and Maria Rodriquez and their son, Javier Rodriquez.

The warrants were executed on suspicion of immigrant smuggling and money laundering after a federal grand jury's five-count indictment. All three were arrested and are in federal custody on criminal charges.

During the execution of the warrants, 18 illegal immigrants were administratively arrested; 17 are from Mexico and one is from Fiji. Two handguns were also seized as well more than $120,000 in cash.

HOW THE WELD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CURRENTLY WORKS WITH ICE

1) When a foreign-born person commits a crime, Weld County Jail officials report him or her to ICE.

2) ICE checks to see if the person is in the country legally. This often requires fingerprints or pictures since some use aliases, Buck said.

3) ICE evaluates the severity of the crime. ICE will usually hold someone who is in jail on suspicion of homicide, rape or sexual abuse of a child. A DUI offense, however, doesn't usually warrant a hold, Buck said.

4) If ICE decides to put a hold on an inmate, an agent interviews the person at the jail and makes another decision about whether to maintain the hold.

4) The person goes through the justice system and if convicted, serves his or her sentence in the jail.

5) When the sentence is done, ICE comes to pick up the person to begin deportation proceedings.